I am a city boy. I have grown up in the city all my life. Since moving into our new house in Redding, California, I have had to learn a few things about gardening, farming, fertilizers, soil, and seeds. There’s much to learn spiritually about the process of seeding and harvesting.

The Lord began to speak to me about the inherent power of seed faith.

There're a few dry patches in my backyard that needed some work. I went to Lowes and got a pack of Scotts EZSeed Patch and Repair. According to the instructions on the back, it says the three steps to success are:

1. Prep. Prepare the area you want to grow grass by removing dead grass and loosening the hard soil to help tiny seedling root.

The first important step to the process of faith is preparation. You have got to prepare the ground or the soil so that your seed is best positioned for optimum growth. It is vital to prepare the soil of your heart by pulling out the weeds and removing dead belief systems. I was also told to get a container of Round Up to kill the roots of the weeds. What lies are you believing? Get rid of the roots of deception and lies that don't line up with the word of God and what God says about you and the situations you are believing God for. In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-23, the sower who receives a thirty, sixty, a hundredfold harvest is the one who hears and understands the word and will of God, not letting deception, worry, and anxiety choke up the life of the seed.

2. Apply. Evenly apply the seeds so the area is mostly covered, but bare ground is still visible so that the seeds contact the soil.

The next step is to apply and plant the seeds into the soil. When I was a seminary student at Oral Roberts University, Oral used to teach us the three principles of seed faith. First, recognize that God is your Source. Secondly, sow and target your seed at your need. And lastly, after you have done everything, expect a miracle. Believe and declare that God is your Source, not men, not the Wall Street, not your ability or inability. Declare that He is a good good Father who knows how and when to provide. Next, target your seed at your need. The seed needs to contact the soil. What seeds are you sowing and what specifically are you believing God for? Just a case in example, when I sow seeds of finances (and it could be seeds of time, acts of service and kindness, etc.), I would target the seeds at a specific need, e.g. bills and expenses, good health, favor at work). Believe God to work powerfully on your behalf.

3. Water. A deep and thorough watering is the key to success.

A good farmer not only knows how to prepare the soil and apply the seed, but he also knows the importance of knowing where he has planted and to keep watering the seeds. You don't sow a seed and then forget about it. A lot of people start off well by sowing seeds of faith, only for the seeds to die because of negligence and lack of intentionality. If you don't know where you have sown, how would you know where and when to harvest? Water your seeds by consistently speaking and declaring life to your seeds to see them grow and ultimately reap a harvest. Speak the word of God over your needs and unique circumstances.

In the process of faith, we are responsible for these three steps: prepare the soil, apply the seed, and water the seed. Once we have done that, we just simply need to trust in God's wisdom and goodness. On God's part, He is responsible for the timing and the harvest. He is a good good Father, and He only has what is best for us. God is actively watching over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9 NKJV)

Trust the process and have faith in the Promiser. May you experience His manifold goodness and kindness!